We love Louis -- JLS sing praises of 'amazing' former mentor

CHART-TOPPERS JLS have paid tribute to X Factor judge Louis Walsh, crediting the Irishman with guiding them to pop stardom.

Kirsty Blake Knox
– 26 November 2012 04:00 PM

JLS were the headliners at the annual Cheerios Childline concert at the O2 over the weekend.

Offstage the only topic of conversation the boys seemed interested in was singing the praises of X Factor judge Louis Walsh.

"Louis is amazing," Jonathan Gill, aka JB, told the Herald.

"He's the longest-standing judge on any talent show in the world. He really knows what he's doing and what he's saying." It was Mayo man Louis who first helped the foursome to find fame and fortune after mentoring them on the fifth season of the X Factor.

And Marvin Hume explained that Louis was a very hands-on coach who was determined to develop his acts.

"Louis has got experience, he's a great judge, he's very involved in developing artists on the show," Marvin said.

"He's also a great character at the end of the day. People love him because he's funny. He knows what to do and what to say. And you can see that in the amazing acts he's had come through the process.

"He pointed us in the right direction after the show. He said this is who you should work with and that's what happened."

Last week, Marvin and Rochelle Hume from The Saturdays announced to their friends and Twitter followers that they were expecting their first child.